Finding An Eating Plan To Lose Weight

The first thing most people think about when they hear the word "diet" is food. While that might sound like a contradiction in terms, food is of course a critically important part of any diet plan. Eating properly, regularly and nutritiously is one of the cornerstones of any successful eating plan to lose weight.

Everyone's looking for an eating plan that will let them pig out on pizza or pound down a pint of Ben and Jerry's and still lose weight. And here's a surprise: such a thing is actually possible! The most successful diet plan is one that allows for the occasional splurge. As human beings, we are naturally hedonistic creatures. If we deny that fact completely, most of us will at some point "snap," and heaven help the person standing between us and the all-you-can-eat buffet when that happens.

A far better and more realistic plan is to allow yourself a day a week, or even just one meal a week, when you can eat whatever you desire. If you choose to try such a plan, here are a few tips to remember:

Make it count: If you're craving pizza, don't order cheap takeout. Go out to a good pizza joint and get a REALLY good pie. Make it an experience to remember.
Get rid of it: If you're craving ice cream, buy a pint, not a half-gallon. Yes, the pint may not be as cost-effective, but you won't have the ice cream calling to you from the refrigerator when you're back "on the wagon.'
Pay attention: Don't eat your indulgence food sitting in front of the TV or computer. Sit down at a table and actually enjoy what you're eating.
Write it down: Make a note of what you ate. Go into detail! That way, on your next splurge day or meal, you can pick something different to explore.

Another thing to remember, and this goes hand-in-hand with paying attention, is to eat slowly. Something that doesn't get discussed very much any more is the old axiom that it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it's full. That's actually true! How many times have you eaten seconds or thirds, and then a while after you're done felt like you were going to explode? That's because it takes a while for the message "I'm full, stop eating!" to get from your stomach to your brain.

As your weight loss continues, you may find something else happening. You might find yourself putting off your splurge days, or even changing them to once every two weeks or once a month. When you see how much your weight loss is doing for you, it's natural to want to keep it up and maintain your success!

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